Last broadcast for Johnny O’s ‘Backstage’

On Saturday morning, John Ozerhoski, the host of the popular radio show “Backstage” on FM 97.3 WZBG, will turn off his microphone, hand the headphones to a new host, and head for home.

For 16 years, John has traveled to the radio station through wind, rain, snow and ice to share with his theater-loving listeners all things theater, including news and interviews. Now, he is changing the dial from Saturday morning at the station to home with the family. “Who knows, we may even go out for breakfast on Saturday mornings,” he said with a laugh.

Leaving his young children and wife behind every Saturday morning was getting more and more difficult. “The kids love spending time with us. They didn’t want me to leave when I had to go to the station and I didn’t want to leave them. It was a difficult decision because the show was like my first baby,” the talented thespian explained.

When John first pitched his idea for the radio show, he already had theater blood running straight to his heart. He has done it all. He’s an actor who manages to land lead roles, a director for several area theaters, and a playwright whose work has been produced. Mind you, he does all this for the love of theater. He actually has a full-time 8-to-5 job to support his family.

By the time John got home from work and did the dinner scene, it was just about time to put the kids to bed. On Saturdays, by the time he got home from the show, half the day was nearly gone. “I started thinking about leaving the show last summer. My wife (actress/director Rebecca Russo) left the decision up to me, but when I’m gone she’s committed to the kids, while I get the glory behind the microphone. When I started talking to the people at the radio they all understood. It was different when it was just me and different when it was just Rebecca and me. This is really all about spending time with the children as a family. Now my focus is on parenting.”

Highly creative, John has a lot of ideas that he can write about in plays, and perhaps he can even direct a few shows. “I can’t imagine performing in an actual production now,” he said knowing how time-consuming theater is from the long and demanding rehearsal process to the weekend shows. “I don’t think my mind could line up with memorizing lines and learning dance routines now.”

Happily, John was able to find a replacement for his show. He reached out to Eric Lindblom, another talented theater personality, who will take over the show as it first began. In other words, Eric will focus on local community theaters just as John did originally. After hundreds of broadcasts, John introduced regional and Broadway theater, and perhaps Eric will work up to that level.

It is quite likely that John will sit in for Eric occasionally, and also fill in for other shows on that dial.

Meanwhile, John has clocked in more than 800 radio broadcasts. He has created a legacy of devoted theater fans and friends, and has become more than just a radio personality. He has become a most memorable theater voice.

Tune in on Saturday and wish John much luck and happy family.

Joanne Greco Rochman was a founding member of the Connecticut Critics Circle and is currently an active member in The American Theatre Critics Association. She welcomes comments. Contact: jgrochman@ gmail.com.